Modi addresses Seychelles parliament, marks 50 years of India ties
Synopsis
Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to address Seychelles' National Assembly, invoking INS Nilgiri's 1975 presence at Port Victoria and contrasting it with two Indian warships docked there today. The speech was less a diplomatic formality and more a strategic signal — framing the Indian Ocean as India's core sphere of shared security under the MAHASAGAR doctrine.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi addressed the National Assembly of Seychelles on 28 June — the first Indian Prime Minister to do so.
The visit marks the Golden Jubilee of India-Seychelles diplomatic relations, spanning 50 years .
INS Tarkash and INS Ikshak are docked at Port Victoria to mark the occasion, echoing INS Nilgiri 's presence at independence in 1975.
Modi outlined the MAHASAGAR framework — Mutual And Holistic Advancement for Security And Growth Across Regions — as India's vision for the Indian Ocean region .
This is the 20th foreign parliament Modi has addressed since 2014 .
Modi also met Seychelles President Patrick Herminie and reviewed progress in bilateral ties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 28 June became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the National Assembly of Seychelles, delivering a landmark speech during his state visit to Victoria that underscored five decades of unbroken diplomatic partnership between India and the Seychelles. The address marked the Golden Jubilee of bilateral relations and the 20th foreign parliament Modi has addressed since taking office in 2014.
Fifty Years of Commitment
Drawing a direct line from independence to the present, Modi recalled that an Indian naval vessel, INS Nilgiri, was anchored at Port Victoria at the dawn of Seychelles' independence as a gesture of solidarity. INS Tarkash and INS Ikshak are currently docked at the same port to mark the Golden Jubilee. 'The passage of 50 years has changed many things, but it has not changed our commitment to one another,' Modi said in his address.
Maritime Security and the MAHASAGAR Vision
A central theme of the address was the Indian Ocean region (IOR) and the two nations' shared stake in its security. Modi emphasised that the defence forces, Coast Guards, and maritime agencies of both countries have trained and operated together for decades, and praised the professionalism of the Seychelles Defence Forces and the Seychelles Coast Guard.
He articulated India's strategic framework for the region under the acronym MAHASAGAR — Mutual And Holistic Advancement for Security And Growth Across Regions — describing it as a recognition that the futures of Indian Ocean nations are 'interconnected and interdependent.' Cooperation in maritime security, capacity building, hydrography, and maritime domain awareness, he said, reflects a shared commitment to a safer region.
A Historic First and a Personal Connection
Modi noted that Seychelles was the first Indian Ocean nation he visited as Prime Minister, in 2015, lending the current visit an added layer of continuity. His address to the National Assembly is the 20th foreign parliament he has addressed — a record for an Indian Prime Minister.
His parliamentary diplomacy began immediately after assuming office in 2014, with addresses to the legislatures of Bhutan, Nepal, Australia, and Fiji. Subsequent years saw him address the assemblies of Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, the United Kingdom, and Afghanistan. He addressed the United States Congress in 2016 and again in 2023, making him the first Indian Prime Minister to address a Joint Session of the US Congress twice. Parliaments of Uganda (2018), the Maldives (2019), and Guyana (2024) were also part of this journey.
Bilateral Talks and What Comes Next
Earlier on Sunday, Modi met Seychelles President Patrick Herminie and the two leaders reviewed what officials described as 'remarkable' progress in the bilateral partnership. The meeting covered areas including trade, maritime cooperation, and development assistance.
With both sides reaffirming their commitment to the Indian Ocean's stability, the visit is expected to yield further agreements on maritime surveillance and capacity building — signalling that the next 50 years of the partnership will be shaped as much by strategic geography as by historical goodwill.
Point of View
Not architecture. Seychelles' vast exclusive economic zone makes it a critical node for IOR surveillance; whether this visit translates into concrete hydrography or surveillance-sharing agreements, rather than warm speeches, will be the real measure of the Golden Jubilee.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did PM Modi address the Seychelles National Assembly?
PM Modi addressed the Seychelles National Assembly on 28 June as part of a state visit marking the Golden Jubilee — 50 years — of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles. He is the first Indian Prime Minister to address that legislature.
What is the MAHASAGAR vision Modi spoke about?
MAHASAGAR stands for Mutual And Holistic Advancement for Security And Growth Across Regions. It is India's strategic framework for the Indian Ocean region, recognising that the security and prosperity of Indian Ocean nations are interconnected and interdependent.
Which Indian naval ships are at Port Victoria and why?
INS Tarkash and INS Ikshak are currently docked at Port Victoria to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of India-Seychelles ties. Their presence mirrors that of INS Nilgiri, which was present at the same port when Seychelles gained independence 50 years ago.
How many foreign parliaments has PM Modi addressed?
The Seychelles address is the 20th foreign parliament Modi has spoken to since taking office in 2014. He has addressed legislatures across Asia, Africa, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas, including the US Congress twice — a first for an Indian Prime Minister.
When did PM Modi first visit Seychelles?
Modi first visited Seychelles in 2015, making it the first Indian Ocean nation he visited as Prime Minister. The current visit in June 2025 marks his return as bilateral ties complete 50 years.
